Silver Spirit Cruise Photos

Port Mahon (7)

At 6 p.m., Silver Spirit was due to
sail from Port Mahon for arrival at Alghero, Sardinia the next morning.

Captain Mino Pontillo and the local harbor pilot were on the bridge before the appointed hour.

Soon, the lines were cast off and Silver Spirit was
underway.

Silver Spirit's berth was now empty, clearing the
way for an unobstructed view of Port Mahon. (In this photo, you can see the port
headquarters next to the pier, with the town center high above the waterfront.)

On such a warm and sunny day, few passengers could resist
watching--and photographing--Silver Spirit's leisurely passage through
the deepest natural harbor in Europe.

Along the route of several kilometers, Silver Spirit
passed housing developments, boat marinas, and a curious-looking building on the
end of a spit.

Some passengers may have wondered about the meaning of a sign
on shore. (It meant "Maximum speed 3 knots.")

The water was still blue and nearly smooth as Silver
Spirit approached the harbor mouth.

The pilot boat sped toward the ship, collected the
piloto, and returned to port.